Kanturk one of 26 Irish towns to benefit from Town Centre First Plan
KANTURK has been selected as one of 26 towns nationally to benefit from a Town Centre First Plan.
Funding of €30,000 has been granted to Cork County Council for the development of the plan as part of the Government’s national Town Centre First Policy initiative.
Kanturk will subsequently be provided with the funding to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop its town centre.
The Town Centre First policy represents a joint strategy by the Department of Rural and Community Development, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; to tackle vacancy and dereliction, drive future development and breathe new life into town centres.
Welcoming the announcement of Kanturk as part of the second phase of Town Centre First Plans, Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’ Flynn said:
“I am delighted that Kanturk is set to benefit from this fund. Town Centre First Plans provide the community with an opportunity to shape the future of their town.
“It can contain proposals for a diverse range of projects such as redeveloping derelict sites, creating community parks and walkways, boosting business and tourism potential and protecting historical landmarks.
“This has the potential to be truly transformative, paving the way for newly revitalised town centres, thriving communities and economic growth for generations to come,” he added.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Valerie O’Sullivan said a ‘Town Team’ will now be assembled to initiate a plan for Kanturk to development process:
“Cork County Council’s dedicated Town Regeneration Office will now work to assemble a ‘Town Team’ for Kanturk to guide this exciting plan to development process over the coming months.
“The input of the local community is key to the success of these projects to ensure a shared vision that is unique to each town.”
Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan also welcomed the news that Kanturk will develop a Town Centre First Plan:
“I am delighted that Kanturk will be supported with funding of €30,000 to complete a comprehensive town plan to help develop its town centre.
“This investment is all about giving the people of Kanturk the tools they need to improve the town and make it a more attractive place to live, work, visit and invest in.”
Launched in 2022, Town Centre First has a core aim of confronting dereliction and the general decline in the health of Ireland’s town centres.
Town Centre First also supports the objectives of the National Planning Framework and Housing for All by unlocking the potential of vacant and underused buildings to increase housing supply and attract more people to live and work in town centres.
Cork County Council is also inviting Expressions of Interest for projects identified by Town Teams and local communities that will assist in regenerating their towns.
Selection of projects under the ‘Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Project Development Measures 2024’ will be by means of a competitive process.
Cork County Council can submit two applications to a value of €50,000 each to the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Development of projects must be undertaken in consultation with the Town Regeneration Office of Cork County Council, the local town/ village community and business interests.
The Expression of Interest form and further information on the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is available on the Council’s website www.corkcoco.ie
The closing date for completed Expression of Interest forms is 5pm on Wednesday, March 20 2024.
Forms can be emailed to townandvillagerenewal@corkcoco.ie or posted to Town Regeneration Office, Cork County Council, Floor 11, County Hall, Cork, T12R2NC.